Because the irony of atheists having Biblical names makes me laugh. But if you do, you might as well tally up your score: The Crazy Bible Name for Your Kid Score Sheet 1. You give your kid a name that doesn’t sound Biblical except for a slight letter difference that only Christians would notice, e.g. “Rebekah” with a k. = +1 point 2. Major prophets. = +1 point 3. Minor prophets.= +3 points … 12. Their name can easily be… Read more
I’ve mentioned before stories of atheists who had to deal with a crisis — or at least people who didn’t turn to a god when they were dealing with terrifying situations. The fact that Stephen Alter is an atheist is only a minor point in this essay he wrote for Outlook India. But after paragraph upon paragraph recalling a brutal attack he and his wife suffered at the hands of assailants (who have still not been caught), it’s a sobering… Read more
There’s a new book about atheism out in bookstores today that’s quite different from the New Atheist ones already in print: Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America — and Found Unexpected Peace This one, by William Lobdell, tells the story of how he came out from under the spell of religion. He is a former religion writer for the Los Angeles Times, former evangelical, and (later) a former Catholic. One excerpt from the… Read more
I don’t know… but I think I approve. Quick and easy. No mess. (via Vagabondish — Thanks to Donna for the link!) Read more
American atheists are nothing to worry about or fear, says Maurice O’ Sullivan in The Wall Street Journal. He first cites President Obama’s reference to non-religious people during his Inauguration Address: Our new president’s cautious phrasing may suggest that the country is not yet ready for the full debut of atheists, but they are certainly claiming a louder voice in the culture wars. And that voice sounds very different from the bizarre theatrics of Madalyn Murray O’Hare. A group once… Read more
MTV’s documentary series True Life is seeking out young people who may have converted to a different religion from their parents. I’m guessing most of you would fit that bill (if not the age requirement). Here’s the information: TRUE LIFE: I’m Clashing With My Parents Are you clashing with your parents? Going against their wishes? Defying them even? Are you an Americanized teen growing up in a household with immigrant parents whose conservative cultural values are at odds with your… Read more
Kudos to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. On February 12th, he issued a proclamation declaring it to be Charles Darwin Day in the state! How cool is that?! Wait. Check out the document itself (PDF). Do you see it? At the very bottom of the announcement — the announcement that extols Darwin’s incredible accomplishments and explains that his works have been challenging conventional views and encouraging critical thinking — is an inscription that reads: God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Ha…. Read more
As Bill Maher introduced the Oscar for Best Documentary, he said the following: “I know it’s a touchy subject, but someday we will all have to confront the notion that our silly gods cost the world too greatly.” He said this after mentioning his own film Religulous wasn’t nominated for the award he was presenting. I hope that quotation is accurate — I’m quoting from memory. I’ll get a clip up here when I find one. I thought it was… Read more
Hello everyone. Trina here. I just ran across an article that I wanted to share with you. It grabbed my attention because it is about “Blue Laws.” I can remember when I first moved to Texas several years ago (I don’t live there now) that I was floored to learn that I couldn’t go shopping on Sundays. I was a teenager at the time and I wanted to shop! I was speechless when I learned why I couldn’t – “Blue Law.” It seemed so absurd… Read more
It’s always scary when you find out someone in whom you place your trust (a doctor, a lawyer, etc.) turns out to put his/her trust in superstition. A reader send me this email. I’ll let him speak for himself: Something just happened that I’d like advice on (from you or your readers). My son has been diagnosed with ADHD by his pediatrician and I figured we’d go to a child psychologist for more info (an idea the pediatrician encouraged). I… Read more
